Sen. John Kerry tops the wealth list in the US Senate...

[sfecap]

..with a net worth of over $168,000,000.

Does that make him part of the "elite"?

[JohnKleeb]

1. makes him rich all right

but would be wrong to use his wealth as a litmus test.

[w13rd0]

2. I agree...

...it's what one does with the money, and how one makes the money (or doesn't make it, in the case of some), that matter...

[JohnKleeb]

3. FDR was a rich guy but a stellar man as was the Kennedy family

If youre generous and wealthy I can respect you, Kerry isnt a greedy sob like many of the rich GOP. Dean and Kerry are both lifetime members of the upper class I wont hold that against them being that I am middle class. That said Dennis Kucinich's views on the issues, his work ethic, and I do admire his sucess story have me supporting him but could I support a rich person for president, well FDR is one of my all the favorite politicans, and he was rich as one could be.

[sfecap]

4. How did Kerry make it?

Do you know?

Being a Senator doesn't pay all that much...

[VermontDem2004]

5. He was a senator for quite awhile

and I think Senators get payed $800,000 a year. I do know for a fact Congressmen get payed $145,000 a year.

[sfecap]

11. A Senator makes $154,700.00 per year...

...along with a long list of perks.

[VermontDem2004]

12. I heard it was much higher then that

is there any proof to this? I am not doubting you, I would be curious to know the actual numbers.

[sfecap]

17. It's true. That's the salary.

Unless they've voted themselves another raise in the last month or so...(they usually do it at 3:00am on a Saturday...)

Edit: I might be a couple of thousand off...

Here's a link:

http://usgovinfo.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

[CoffeePlease1947]

14. Senators make the same, 145,000K

They changed the law so they get paid the same. I found that odd, a Senator is more important than a member of the House.

Believe it or not, most members of Congress are millionaires before they get to Congress. The 145K is usually costing them money while they are there based on their standard of living. Having a home in DC and your district and flying around, campaigns, and raising a family costs a great deal. Houses are the most expensive in DC about 1/2 million for a decent size one that is to the standards of a Senator or member of the House that is a millionaire.

Mike

[JohnKleeb]

7. he was born in to a wealthy family and his wife is rich

I dont know really for sure.

[oasis]

6. What is the cutoff number to qualify for the elite?

More than half the U.S. Senate are millionaires.

[sfecap]

15. Beats me...

I just see that word thrown around here a lot...

[DemBones DemBones]

8. One thing I admire about John Kerry is that, like Al Gore,

he came from a family that had money and influence but he went in the military and served in Viet Nam. Kerry was in combat, Gore wasn't, but both were in a dangerous place, and each could have avoided military service, as many rich boys did. I'm not criticizing those who did their best to legally avoid being drafted (a position I agree with because the war was wrong) or resisted the draft by leaving the country or opting for prison, but rather those who took unfair advantage because the draft laws were inequitable.

[shance]

9. Al Gore's net value is NOTHING compared to this nest egg***

They may both come from establishment. But one has FIRMLY established his placed in the patriarchial world of wealth and privilege. Another has perhaps sought a different path.

[JohnKleeb]

10. I agree too

[sandnsea]

18. I don't know where his money came from

But his friends didn't think he had money.

"John was from a prominent family, but he wasn't wealthy" compared to his peers, said his friend George Butler. Kerry loaded trucks in a grocery warehouse and sold encyclopedias door to door. "He was a little bit of an outsider because he had to work during college summers. It gives you tremendous drive to make up for it."


http://www.johnkerry.com/news/clips/news_2003_0601.html

[sfecap]

21. Yep, some drive he had...

Marrying well is the fastest way to wealth! LOL

[JohnKleeb]

22. Ive heard that

I do like that though, a major plus for Kerry. I also saw some of that video, Hes a neat guy.

[arcos]

13. No, Dean is the the liberal elitist in the race...

:eyes:

[JohnKleeb]

16. both of em probably have a higher net pay and richer background then my gu

Not that it matters although I do appreciate people who werent so fortunate growing up who became successful not saying Dean and Kerry arent sucessful people. I'd rather have well to do Dean or Kerry than humble backgrounds Trent Lott

[sandnsea]

20. lol, Nope, Dennis is NOT an elitist!

Now that's a fact. I love his story. And his financial filings... somewhere between $7,000 and $20,000 of 'wealth'.

It's what you do with your circumstances that matters, and all our Democratic candidates have done remarkable things. Whether they came up through hard times, or chose to serve the people instead of just being selfish-greedy when they could have. It's what makes the Democratic Party the Democratic Party.

[JohnKleeb]

23. yea

He probably lives in a regular house I bet. Also well Dennis isnt wealthy as for as money his heart is rich as anyones. :)

[sfecap]

19. That's what I thought...

n/t

[rudeboy666]

24. it's all a scam..........$$$$$$

....at least the cons say that they hate us.